Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has actively stepped into the fray regarding the case of a Democrat lawmaker who left the state in an effort to break quorum and stymie legislative activities. The battle has escalated to the Texas Supreme Court, where Paxton is backing the quo warranto petition originally filed by Governor Greg Abbott against Representative Gene Wu, identified as the "runaway Democrat."
According to the Office of the Attorney General's press release, Paxton is seeking to secure judicial orders that would declare that House members who do not reconvene in Texas by a specific deadline have effectively vacated their seats. This action stems from the power vested in the Office of the Attorney General by Texas law to directly engage with such issues.
Paxton's office has indicated a readiness to make additional filings if the Democrats opt to continue avoiding their legislative responsibilities. "Under the Texas Constitution and Texas law, the Office of the Attorney General has the legal authority to bring these cases against the renegade House members," Paxton stated, as reported by the Attorney General's Office. He added that the Texas Supreme Court has been alerted of his intention to make more filings in the event of continued absence by the Democratic lawmakers.
The legal stance of the Attorney General's Office emphasizes the exclusivity of its power in these matters, quoting precedent that a "quo warranto" proceeding "can only be brought by the attorney general, a county attorney, or a district attorney." The office further emphasizes the constitutional role of “the Attorney General” to represent the State in all suits, urging the Court not to dismiss the Governor's petition prematurely.
